Sunday, November 5, 2017

Today in Soap Opera History (November 5)

1985: Santa Barbara's Eden broke off her engagement to Cruz.
1985: DJ agreed to do a favor for Ryan on Ryan's Hope.
1990: Maxie Jones was born on General Hospital.
1998: Bethany Joy Lenz debuted as Michelle on Guiding Light.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1945: On radio soap opera Doctor Paul, "radio's wonderful story of adult love," Victoria reflected on how she once knew Dr. Paul (Russell Thorson) after taking an old photograph Dr. Paul when he was a child.

1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) received a telephone call from an Arizona medical examiner that confirmed the real Clayton Pike had been murdered. That meant the man living in Monticello named "Clayton Pike" was an imposter.

1964: On Peyton Place, Rodney Harrington (Ryan O'Neal) and Betty Anderson (Barbara Parkins) returned to Peyton Place as husband and wife.

1979: On Guiding Light, when Rita Bauer (Lenore Kasdorf) decided to leave her husband, Ed (Mart Hulswit), he pleaded with her to explain why.

Thanks for Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1985: On Search for Tomorrow, Hogan McCleary (David Forsyth) was determined to get into Lloyd Kendall's (Joe Lambie) condo.

1985: On Santa Barbara, during a party at the Orient Express, a distraught Eden Capwell (Marcy Walker) told Cruz Castillo (A Martinez) he loved himself more than he loved her. As she walked away Eden announced to the party guests that she and Cruz were planning on announcing their engagement but now it was not going to happen ("The party is over!")

1985: On General Hospital, Sean Donely's (John Reilly) condition worsened when his wound became infected.

1985: On Ryan's Hope, Ryan Fenelli (Yasmine Bleeth) asked D.J. LaSalle (Christian Slater) to take an at-home test that was due the next day. Meanwhile, Dakota and Jillian shared a kiss.

1993: On General Hospital, Luke and Laura parachuted out of the plane, but got separated. Luke later rescued Laura from going over a raging waterfall. Sly took Lucky to the catacombs.

Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

1998: On Guiding Light, Mick tried to attack both Michelle and Drew at the beach so Michelle hit him over the head with a nearby rock. Bethany Joy Lenz (then known as Joie Lenz) made her first appearance as Michelle Bauer.

Thanks to Chris for sending in the clip above.

2001: On The Young and the Restless, Tricia (Sabryn Genet) cried to Dr. Burns that Victor (Eric Braeden) raped her. She sent Tricia to the medical facility where they could collect evidence for the police. Victor, recovering from the drugs Tricia slipped him the night before, ordered Paul to install surveillance cameras in Tricia's new apartment. When Paul asked about the urgency, Victor stated he needed to take action before things got out of hand. A police officer entered Victor's office, and informed Victor about Tricia's accusations. As he left to go down to the station, Victor exclaimed that Tricia was deranged and would not get away with this.

2007: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike.

2008:All My Children star Susan Lucci was voted off ABC dance competition series Dancing With the Stars.

2009: Sarah Brown debuted on The Bold and the Beautiful in the role of Sandy Sommers (who was actually Aggie Jones). In the episode, Nick and Bridget spoke with the surrogacy candidate and arranged for an in-person meeting.